It’s been awhile since we heard about Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, the 1989 classic that gave Disney’s animated feature wing a much-needed shot in the arm at the end of a spotty decade. Pre-production has been going on forever — at one point it was to star Chloë Grace Moretz and to be directed by Sofia Coppola — but here’s a good sign that things are finally moving right along: As per Variety, Melissa McCarthy is in talks to take on the role of Ursula, the tentacled, white-haired sea witch who ensnares the plucky Ariel (who has not yet been cast).
If McCarthy signs on for the role, the Oscar-nominated actress will not only get to warble her way through Ursula’s big number, “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” but possibly some new tunes, which will be penned by no less than Lin-Manuel Miranda. McCarthy isn’t exactly known for her singing chops, though she has held her own in lip synch battles with Jimmy Fallon, which is close enough?
Or perhaps not: Some people took to Twitter to voice their own picks for Ursula. One name that came up often? Lizzo, the newly minted singer of the instant classic “Juice.”
I am vetoing this already. We done told yall to cast @lizzo. @Disney https://t.co/Z4cspAkhF9
— Tre'vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) June 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/CynthiaEriVo/status/1144765007558787072
https://twitter.com/ira/status/1144742169225367557
is @lizzo not available to play Ursula in the live action little mermaid cuz…….I will only accept her in that role.
— Hecallsmepp ✨ (@hecallsmePP) June 28, 2019
CAST LIZZO AS URSULA YOU COWARDS https://t.co/pySIdjshCJ
— britt hayes (@britthates) June 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/NerdAboutTown/status/1144718959834533894
And listen I could be down for Lizzo or Latrice Royale if I can't have Queen Latifah. But Ursula needs to be someone who has swagger & charisma. Who absolutely loves herself. Give me a good villain Disney.
— Mikki Kendall (@Karnythia) June 29, 2019
Some had other suggestions.
Look I love Lizzo and I love Melissa McCarthy but other than a resurrected Divine THERE IS ONLY ONE URSULA FOR ME. pic.twitter.com/ZgKu51QpkK
— Vanessa Guerrero (@nessguerrero) June 28, 2019
TS Madison
Lizzo
Danielle BrooksThat’s the list. That’s it. Cast one of them or keep it on the playground
— George M Johnson Garçon (@IamGMJohnson) June 28, 2019
Ursula is black. and since y’all need help casting her i’ve decided to be nice and help y’all out by giving you a list of plus size black women who can play her
-Lizzo
-Amber Riley
-Loni Love
-Scarlett Johansson
-Queen Latifah
-Monique
-Alex Newell
you’re welcome Hollywood https://t.co/XBXaaL87Ue— 𝕛𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕒 (@heyyitsjanea) June 29, 2019
And some criticized Hollywood.
hollywood: there are only three fat actresses: melissa mccarthy, rebel wilson and scarlett johansson in a fatsuit https://t.co/KPkuY5hq6n
— kit danger 🍉 (@kitshrek) June 28, 2019
